Avon and Somerset Police - We’ve secured a three month closure order on Taunton shop Hush today (16 December) using anti-social behaviour legislation because of the amount of nuisance and disorder its sale of so-called legal highs has caused. Taunton Magistrates made the order at the end of a hearing lasting all day following an application made by local police officers and our Anti-social Behaviour Team. It is believed to be the first time a closure order of this nature has been won through the courts anywhere in the country since the legislation was introduced earlier this year. Taunton officers posting the notice on December 6 We presented the court with a bundle of evidence of more than 100 pages, including statements from officers and members of the public, as well as video clips regarding issues of anti-social behaviour around the town. The Bridge Street shop’s directors unsuccessfully contested the application, and as a result of the magistrates’ decision the premises can’t be used for trading until the order expires. Supt Ian Wylie said: “This is a fantastic result for Taunton. My officers and PCSOs in the town, alongside the ASB team, have worked exceptionally hard to bring this application to court and have been at the sharp end of dealing with the anti-social behaviour we’ve come to associate with Hush. “We have three months to consider our next steps whilst Hush is closed, but hopefully our success today will make it clear that any widespread nuisance and disorder caused by the sale of legal highs in Taunton is totally unwelcome, and we will consider closure orders like these elsewhere in the force area if similar effects are felt. “We know legal high users have been committing crime to fund their habits in Taunton and suffering mental and physical health problems as well. This order will go a long way to protecting them from these dangerous and addictive substances as well as the public.” Taunton officers served a closure notice on Hush on December 6, forcing the shop to cease trading until a hearing regarding a closure order could be held. The proceedings in court today were made under civil law, however, anyone guilty of breaching the order will be committing a criminal offence.
Posted on: Wed, 17 Dec 2014 07:35:56 +0000
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